Reading Circle: October

During my student teaching experience, I found that the one thing I really wanted to get my students to do was to want to read on their own for enjoyment. That was a hefty goal, I soon realized. I figured the only way I could even expose them to the wonders of books was to incorporate as many excerpts and as many samples from as many books as I could during my lessons. I read to them The Fault in Our Stars, The 5th Wave, Pride and Prejudice, Love that Dog, Divergent, Les Miserables and so on. Before I knew it, I had students in line to borrow different books from my little personal library. I had students coming in after powering through a book in two nights and wanting to tell me what they liked about it or didn’t like about it and then asking me for more recommendations. Since then, I have been trying my hardest to read a lot so that I can keep up with my students and be able to always have a recommendation up my sleeve. I read a lot of YA lit for that reason, and let me tell you, there is some really good YA literature out there these days. I do try to brush up on my classics, too!

Anyway, here is what I read during October:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson-★★★★-Melinda starts her Freshman year of high school with no friends, no relationship with her parents and with a secret. The story follows her school year as she struggles with her reputation, her relationships and as her secret slowly suffocates her ability to speak.

I really liked this book a lot better then Anderson’s other novel-Wintergirls. I felt like the story line was easier to follow because there wasn’t a ton of description to get lost in. I think this is a very applicable plot that many teenage girls could relate to in one way or another and that Anderson tackles a tough subject with class and honesty. I liked the literal application of speaking as Melinda’s coping mechanism.

Shine by Lauren Myracle-★★★★-This is more like a 4.5 kind of rating. This story follows sixteen-year-old Cat, who takes it upon herself to discover the truth behind the hate-crime that put her best guy friend in the hospital. While attempting to solve the mystery, Cat also confronts her own demons and discovers her own strength in the face of many trials.

I loved this book. I would never teach it and would probably never recommend it to my students because of the language and themes but this book was beautiful. It tackles such relevant issues kids face today (hate-crimes, drug use, rape) in a graceful way-and I loved how the two main conflicts didn’t conflict with each other, but built each other up. The characters are real and honest.

Don’t read this book if you don’t enjoy swearing, though. It’s pretty excessive and I didn’t enjoy that aspect of the book at all.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore-★★★-This is a 3.5 star rating.

This story takes place in a fantasy realm where people who are born with two colored eyes are born with “graces” which means a special talent or ability. The story follows Katsa, who was born with a Killing Grace and is used by her uncle, a king, to bully and enforce his rules and wants. Katsa meets Po, a Graceling from a neighboring country who is looking for his kidnapped grandfather. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance and discover a terrible secret about their world.

I keep going back and forth over how I feel about this book. I knew that there were two other books that went along with this book and without really thinking about it, thought that this book was the first in a trilogy. This was where I went wrong-this book is a stand alone story with two companion novels-not sequels! So, this book takes you on a complete journey and that was something I didn’t realize at first, so I was really surprised at how long the story was! I’m just not used to that! I would get frustrated and confused that the author kept pushing the story along and wondered when it would end in a cliff hanger, not realizing that she was going to end the story all the way. If I was to sit down and read this again with that understanding, I think I would enjoy the story more.

The action is fast paced and there are some good twists in the plot line. I think the character development was realistic and believable. I liked the romance, too. I think this story was really balanced out and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and action.

For more reviews and recommendations, be sure to check out my goodreads profile!

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I believe in embracing life and all it has to offer. Dress up for fun. Try out that purple eyeshadow. Listen to Christmas music in July. Chase your blogging dreams. Travel to far off places. Wear your scars like wings. You deserve to live a vibrant life, despite your scars or your past. I’m here to cheer you on.

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